istaken the event for some kind of inauguration. Rounds and rounds of spontaneous cheers of “Hiplito, Hiplito, Hiplito!” echoed through the filled-to-capacity Quisqueya Stadium. Before the night was over Hiplito Meja and Juan Luis Guerra exchanged vows of solidarity with one another, each acknowledging the other to be a great asset for the future of the Dominican Republic.The nationalistic fervor only subsided for the few minutes when the crowd solemnly watched scenes from a jola rescue mission on gigantic twin concert movie screens. During the clip, helicopter sound effects cut through the crowd as they watched fellow Dominicans being lifted up out of their wreaked jola ravaged by the sea. This was the introduction to Visa Para Un Sueno, Juan Luis Guerra’s song that helps Dominicans reflect on the merits of attempting illegal immigration to America.The events Guerra describes in the beginning of his song are part of a daily drama at the American consulate in Santo Domingo. Early in the morning, hours before the consulate opens, there are already long lines of people seeking interviews with the American vice consuls. Each one of them has to pay $45 for an interview regardless of whether his or her visa application is approved. The majority of applicants are refused non-immigrant visas because they cannot “prove strong enough ties to the Dominican Republic” and demonstrate low-risk for “over-staying”. Guerra’s song helps educate the many Dominican poor who do not realize that they have no hope of getting a visa. They are consistently judged too likely to “over-stay” (and become unwanted immigrants to America) by a formula too difficult to comprehend. Guerra’s argument is easier to understand. He characterizes the “slaughterers” (vice consuls) as indifferent to the American Dreamer, like the “cement and lime” building that encases them. In his lyric...
